Man found on Frankston beach identified and foul play ruled out
Anxious locals feared they had lost their “icon” after a man’s body was found on Frankston beach.
South East
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The death of a 63-year-old man found washed up on Frankston beach was not suspicious, say police.
The man was discovered by a walker about 7am on Monday and a post mortem carried out on Wednesday revealed he had drowned.
Police initially refused to rule out foul play after the man was found fully clothed and wearing shoes.
It was also not clear how long he had been in the water.
Frankston detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pola on Wednesday said the man was “a transient” who had recently been staying with family in Frankston.
His body was found near beach marker 147 off Gould St not far from a beach box brightly painted with a dolphin.
Local Cathy Hope, who’s back deck overlooks the beach, said she saw the body not long after it was discovered.
“There were three ambulances in the lane next to our house when I went outside and when I reached the beach I could see police around the body,” Ms Hope said.
“My husband Terry and I usually swim every day at 7am, but we didn’t that day because we had an appointment in the morning.
“It’s terribly sad.”
Another neighbour feared the body was that of a homeless man well known to locals.
“We do have a fellow who has been sleeping in the dunes for a while,” Dianne Thurley said.
Ms Hope said the man had not been seen in a while.
“I do hope it’s not him!” Ms Hope said.
“We’re fond of him, he has become the icon of Gould St.
“My husband Terry often has honey on toast with him in the mornings.”
Police have confirmed the dead man was not the “icon of Gould Street”.
BODY ON FRANKSTON BEACH IDENTIFIED
A body washed up on Frankston beach has been identified as a 63-year-old local man.
The man’s fully clothed body was discovered by an early morning walker just before 7am on Tuesday.
Police said it was not known how long the man had been in the water.
A post mortem will be carried out on Wednesday morning.
Frankston Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pola said homicide detectives were investigating.
“It’s too early to rule out suspicious circumstances,” Sen-Sgt Fyffe said.
The body was found on a pristine stretch of white sand on Frankston beach off Gould St, near Allawah Ave.
Beach goers and workers at nearby houses were shocked to find part of the beach cordoned off and an large SES tent near the water.
Matt Erseg arrived at a house overlooking the beach about 10.30am to help the owners move.
“I was warned by a neighbour that there had been a body found when I got to the house,” Mr Erseg said.
“No one seems to know what happened. Some think its murder others have said that it could be someone off a boat.”
Another man who did not want to reveal his name was shocked to see the police tape.
“You don’t expect that when you come to the beach,” he said.
“It’s a really nice part of the beach with boat sheds and normally pretty quiet.
Police earlier told the Leader the man’s body did not match the description of any missing persons.